By Salim Addrey
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Howard County Government officials on Thursday issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the final design of the North Tunnel in the Ellicott City Safe and Sound flood mitigation plan.
The North Tunnel is the centerpiece of the projects in the plan, officials said.
“The extended North Tunnel is one of the most impactful projects in our Ellicott City Safe and Sound plan – keeping floodwater off the street and preserving the history of our town,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. “Even as we deal with the challenges of a global pandemic, we continue to make progress to protect Ellicott City from flooding for generations to come.”
Ball recently announced that the county would extend the North Tunnel, eliminating the need for a previously planned flood mitigation project for the West End of Ellicott City. The extended tunnel will keep more stormwater off the street and negate the need for other flood mitigation projects in the West End, preserve historic properties. The project is anticipated to be cost-neutral, he added.
“These projects don’t just move forward on their own,” said State Sen. Katie Fry Hester, D-Carroll and Howard counties. “There has been a ton of behind-the-scenes work to make this next step a reality. The extended North Tunnel is a perfect example of how hard the county is working to balance the critical need for flood mitigation with the desire to preserve as much of the town’s history as possible.”
The extended North Tunnel will start around 8800 Frederick Road and run approximately 5,000 feet to the Patapsco River. The previous design began in Lot F of Ellicott City, officials said.
Officials estimate that the qualifications-based selection process is anticipated to take between 60 to 90 days and responses will be evaluated, rating each firm’s experience, project management ability, approach to the project, understanding of the work effort, and qualifications of personnel to be assigned to the project.
Funding for the design was appropriated in Ball’s Fiscal Year 2021 capital budget.
“This project will have a big impact on the town by redirecting stormwater during severe weather,” said Del. Courtney Watson, D-Howard County. “I am proud of all the progress we have made and continue to make on moving the Safe and Sound plan forward.”